Gaels and Normans / Normanach agus Éireannaigh

Gaels and Normans / Normanach agus Éireannaigh 

The Shaping of a Place / Cruthú Áite

Discover how Gaels and Normans came together—and at times clashed—to shape Galway’s rich history and heritage.

Through lively public talks, immersive walking tours, and vibrant events—including re-enactments, music performances, and street theatre—we will bring the past vividly to life. Explore how the Normans left their mark on Galway city and its surroundings, and how Gaelic culture, in turn, influenced and transformed them, creating the unique story of the region we know today.

This family-friendly festival invites everyone to reflect on how communities of the past introduced new customs and ways of life—traditions that have evolved over time to become the cultural touchstones we treasure today.

Speakers will include representatives from leading institutions such as the National Monuments Service of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, the Ulster Museum, Galway City Museum, and the Heritage Council of Ireland. 

Local artists will be procured to deliver the spectacle events throughout the programme.

Practical information 

Free admission 

3-day festival 

Enquiries: heritage@galwaycity.ie

www.galwaycity.ie